FROM LEFT: Alfred Vargas, Claudine Barretto, Sunshine Cruz and Christian Bautista (Images by Robert Dela Cruz)

Held at the iconic Manila Hotel last Sunday, July 16, the glitz and sophisticated night of the 38th Star Awards for Movies signals glamour and exciting days ahead for the Philippine entertainment industry.

The country's Filipiniana also proves to be fashionable, fun and creative. Award hosts Claudine Barretto, Sunshine Cruz, Christian Bautista, and QC Councilor Alfred Vargas came in their snappy best. In her black sophisticated Marc Bumgarner terno, Cruz won The Face of the Night while, Baretto, in her shimmering white princess modern terno was named Female Star of the Night. Christian Bautista in his modern barong ensemble was chosen Male Star of the Night while Coun. Vargas was hailed Darling of the Press.

With almost all nominees and awards night attendees garbed in Filipiniana and modern barong, the much awaited 38th edition is one Philippine Movie Press Club, Inc (PMPC) event worth remembering. Thanks to MJ Gutierez of Gutierez Celebrities and Media Productions for mounting such a memorable experience at the country's oldest and most revered hotel, The Manila Hotel.

The Company, Daryl Ong, Marlo Mortel, and Concert King Martin Nievera belted out their best to lighten up the night.

Helen Gamboa

Showbiz veterans and industry icons Ms. Helen Gamboa and Director Chito Roño honored the event with their presence to personally receive the Lifetime Achievement Awards accorded to them. Gamboa, with the current MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto in tow, received the Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award. Direc Roño, accompanied by Streetboys members namely, Jhong Hilario, Vhong Navarro, Meynard Marcellano, Joey Andres, Christopher Cruz, Danilo Barrios, and Nicko Manalo, got for himself the Ulirang Alagad ng Pelikula sa Likod ng Kamera Lifetime Achievement Award. Roño founded the dance group in 1993 and he was totally surprised with the presence of its members as he accepted his first lifetime achievement award ever.

Chito Rono

Despite the global pandemic hitting worldwide and badly affecting across all industries, the PMPC made sure to honor the country's best of the best movies, performers, and stakeholders for the year 2021.

Watch the 38th Star Awards for Movies at ALLTV Network on July 23, 2023, Sunday, at 9pm.Directed by Frank Mamaril.

The Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC)

Here are the winners:

MOVIE OF THE YEAR - “On The Job 2: The Missing 8” (Reality MM Studios, Globe Studios, HBO Asia Originals)

MOVIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR - Erik Matti (On The Job 2: The Missing 8)

Vince Tanada

INDIE MOVIE OF THE YEAR - “Katips” (PhilStagers Films)

INDIE MOVIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR - Vince Tañada (Katips)

Janice de Belen (left) and Lotlot de Leon

MOVIE ACTRESS OF THE YEAR - Charo Santos-Concio (Kun Maupay Man It Panahon) at Sunshine Dizon (Versus)

MOVIE ACTOR OF THE YEAR - Vince Tañada (Katips)

Sunshine Dizon

MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTRESS OF THE YEAR - Janice De Belen (Big Night!) at Lotlot De Leon (On The Job 2: The Missing 8)

MOVIE SUPPORTING ACTOR OF THE YEAR - Johnrey Rivas (Katips)

MOVIE ENSEMBLE ACTING OF THE YEAR - The cast of “On The Job 2: The Missing 8”

INDIE MOVIE ENSEMBLE ACTING OF THE YEAR - The cast of “Katips”

NEW MOVIE ACTRESS OF THE YEAR - Quinn Carrillo (Silab)

Quinn Carillo

NEW MOVIE ACTOR OF THE YEAR - Sean De Guzman (Anak Ng Macho Dancer)

CHILD PERFORMER OF THE YEAR - Ella Ilano (The Housemaid)

Sean de Guzman

SHORT MOVIE OF THE YEAR - “Black Rainbow” (Sinehalaga, NCCA, Negros Cultural Foundation, Uncle Scott Global Productions)

SHORT MOVIE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR - Zig Dulay (Black Rainbow)

TECHNICAL CATEGORIES
(Mainstream and Indie Films)

MOVIE SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR - Michiko Yamamoto (On The Job 2: The Missing 8 )

MOVIE CINEMATOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR - Teck Siang Lim (Kun Maupay Man It Panahon)

MOVIE EDITOR OF THE YEAR - Benjamin Tolentino (Big Night!)

MOVIE PRODUCTION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR - Whammy Alcazaren (Kun Maupay Man It Panahon)

MOVIE MUSICAL SCORER OF THE YEAR - The Storyteller Project (My Amanda)

MOVIE SOUND ENGINEER OF THE YEAR - Corinne De San Jose (On The Job 2: The Missing 8 )

MOVIE ORIGINAL THEME SONG OF THE YEAR -- "Umulan Man O Umaraw", performed by Rita Daniela, composed by Louie Ignacio, arranged by Bobby Velasco (for the movie "Huling Ulan Sa Tag-Araw")

INDIE MOVIE SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR - Lav Diaz (Historia Ni Ha)

INDIE MOVIE CINEMATOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR - Lav Diaz (Historia Ni Ha)

INDIE MOVIE EDITOR OF THE YEAR - Armando Lao, Peter Arian Vito, Ysabelle Denoga (Gensan Punch)

Alfred Vargas

INDIE MOVIE PRODUCTION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR - Lav Diaz (Historia Ni Ha)

INDIE MOVIE MUSICAL SCORER OF THE YEAR - Pipo Cifra (Katips)

INDIE MOVIE SOUND ENGINEER OF THE YEAR - Albert Michael Idioma (Gensan Punch)

Christian Bautista (center)

INDIE MOVIE ORIGINAL THEME SONG OF THE YEAR - “Sa Susunod Na Ikot Ng Mundo” -- performed by Kris Lawrence, with saxophone solo by Nicole Reluya, composed and arranged by Von De Guzman (“Nelia”)

SPECIAL AWARDS:

Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award -- Ms. HELEN GAMBOA

Claudine Barretto (left) and Sunshine Cruz

Ulirang Alagad Ng Pelikula Sa Likod Ng Kamera Lifetime Achievement Award -- Director CHITO ROÑO

DARLING OF THE PRESS - Alfred Vargas

MOVIE LOVETEAM OF THE YEAR - Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano (Love Is Color Blind)

Martin Nievera

FEMALE STAR OF THE NIGHT - Claudine Barretto

MALE STAR OF THE NIGHT - Christian Bautista

FEMALE CELEBRITY OF THE NIGHT - Quinn Carrillo

MALE CELEBRITY OF THE NIGHT - Sean De Guzman

FACE OF THE NIGHT - Sunshine Cruz